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Xbox One exclusive games will land on Xbox Game Pass on the day they are released. This was announced by Microsoft’s Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb earlier this morning.

“Moving forward, we plan to release all new Xbox One exclusive games from Microsoft Studios into Xbox Game Pass on the same date as their global release,” said Hryb. “This means that when Sea of Thieves launches on March 20, it will be included in Xbox Game Pass to all members.

“This plan to bring new games timed with their global release into Xbox Game Pass not only includes announced titles like Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, and Crackdown 3 but future unannounced games from Microsoft Studios including new iterations of our biggest Xbox One exclusive franchises such as Halo, Forza and Gears of War, on the same day they launch.”

Right now, Xbox Game Pass is available for a monthly subscription fee of $9.99. Today’s announcement also revealed that six-month subscriptions will be sold for $59.99 at GameStop and other select retailers starting on March 20.

“With the addition of more great games, new blockbuster releases and a new subscription offer, we are giving fans more choice and value in how they discover and enjoy games – purchase games for their permanent library or play through Xbox Game Pass for one low price,” added Hryb.

This is certainly an interesting decision by Microsoft. One has to wonder if this will impact game sales in any significant way. After all, it would be cheaper for users to pay $120 a year (the cost of buying two 6-month subscriptions) than purchasing individual titles. On the other hand, knowing new Xbox exclusives will be available on day one could incentivize more consumers to opt into the service. This venture certainly has both risks and rewards. I suppose we’ll find out how this venture pay off for Microsoft by the end of the year.